59506 Mon Apr 05 13:48:33 -0700 2004 6 2 Los Angeles Area 0 313360 Mixed spice is a key element of hot cross buns. Called only "Mixed Spice" on the bottles, it's a blend generally used in a range of sweet dishes such as fruit cakes, shortbread biscuits, fruit pies. Generally, it contains a mixture of Coriander Seed, Cassia, Cinnamon Quills, Nutmeg, Allspice, Ginger, Cloves. It provides a unique warm set of flavours. Unmistakeable really. All the usual suspects, Whole Foods, Wild Oats, Traders Joes, et al, don't stock it. Either do the British stores. And Easter is this week. So where can this be bought in the LA area? Mon Apr 05 13:48:33 -0700 2004 0 Cake Man 1 313365 Have you tried Surfas in Culver City? Link: http://www.surfasonline.com Mon Apr 05 14:09:09 -0700 2004 313360 0 chowchick 1 313370 Last week at Clementine they had hot cross buns, so maybe they can help with the spice sourcing (at the very least, you know where you can buy some already baked). Mon Apr 05 14:22:38 -0700 2004 313360 0 Debbie 1 313390 There is also a spice shop that opened in the LA Farmers' Market on 3rd and Fairfax. Mon Apr 05 16:11:24 -0700 2004 313360 0 kate 1 313431 Why not just make it yourself (see attached link) Link: http://www.recipecottage.com/dry-mixes/mixed-spice.html Tue Apr 06 00:22:34 -0700 2004 313360 0 Dylan 2 313439 At the risk of having this discussion booted to "general topics", a quick Google of the phrase "mixed spice" yields up a half-dozen formulas of varying complexity (like mole or garam masala, I suspect various people have more or less complex tastes) and at least one source of mixed spice EXTRACT. Go for "rolling your own", using good ingredients, and you'll probably get a result far better than any commercially packaged version. rfgs Tue Apr 06 15:56:15 -0700 2004 313431 0 Rich Gould-Saltman 1 313444 You might also try Market Gourmet at 1800 Abbot Kinney just south of Venice. phone: 310-305-9800. The owner Lauren used to work for Surfas as a buyer and if she doesn't have it in stock would probably gladly order it for you. Allspice at the Farmer's Market is a great store - if it as good as it was when it was on Fairfax by Canter's. I haven't been to the new store, but I loved the old store. The owner is a local culinary treasure: an expert on spices. He could probably mix up a batch for you on the spot. Tue Apr 06 20:20:50 -0700 2004 313360 0 Ann